He looked down at me lovingly and smiled. “Remember, Grace, you are the light!” he cried above the cacophony. “Just like me.”

Fear rammed up into my throat and came out in a brutal scream. Roars and painful shrieks echoed around me. “Can’t you see they will destroy us all!”

He spread his arms wide, eyes fiery. “What I do, I do for you. There is nothing to fear. Let it all go. All of it. Death means nothing. Follow me!”

I pushed away from him, suddenly terrified that this was his doing. That he was the source of the Fury. That I had indeed unwittingly brought this terror upon us all.

I felt the hot breath of a Fury as it screamed behind me, ready to tear into me. I fell to my side, curled up into a ball, held up my arms to hide my face, and hoped death would come quickly.

And then they were gone. One moment the air was filled with their shrieks, the next I could hear only the wailing of terrified men and women and children.

Trembling, I stayed on my side. The screams of those around me slowly subsided, replaced by whispered pleas to God.

I opened my eyes and peered over the crook of my arm, half expecting to see lurking Fury. There were none. Even the wisps of fog and coiling black cords were gone. Haven Valley had returned to its peaceful self.

I pushed up to look around me. People were gathering together, weeping, shaking, holding one another. The center street had claw marks etched into the pavement, windows shattered, doors broken and hanging on hinges. But no Fury. And from what I could see, not a scratch on anyone.

I heard the familiar clicking of shoes and twisted to see Sylous approaching. He scanned the scene and paused when his eyes connected with mine. I dropped my stare, aware of his power over me. A power we had called into question.

“The next time, they won’t be so kind,” he said. “I offered you a place of safety on the condition that you keep your hearts pure and free of deception. A way I still offer. Perhaps this small reminder will help you appreciate the evil that looms beyond this perimeter. A boundary I alone control for your own good.”

I pushed myself to my feet, unsteady and deeply unnerved but otherwise unscathed.

“If you want to endure the full wrath of the Fury, then surrender yourself to this foolish boy and his ways of sight,” Sylous cried. “But if you wish to remain under my protection, then you must retain your holiness and follow the laws of God.”

People muttered around me, begging for protection.

Harrison, face pale and twisted with fear, his children and wife still trembling behind him, stepped forward and lowered himself to one knee in a show of submission. “Forgive us for straying. We will follow.”